Romain Bardet Takes Gutsy Stage 1 Victory in 2024 Tour de France in Italy with the Help of Tireless Frank van den Broek

Stage 1 of the 2024 Tour de France began in the bustling Tuscan city of Florence. The 206 km route ended along the eastern coastline in the city of Rimini. This was historical as well, as it marked the first time the Tour de France has started its Grand Départ in Italy. 

The route for Stage 1 was notably hilly, with an unprecedented amount of climbing for an opening stage. Riders faced 3,600 meters of elevation gain, including seven categorized climbs. 

The first categorized climb was Col de Valico Tre Faggi, a 12.5 km climb with an average gradient of 5.1%, starting at the 37 km mark. The second categorized climb was Côte des Forche, a2.5 km climb with a 6.2% gradient. The third categorized climb was Côte de Carnaio, a 10.5 km climb with a 4.6% gradient.

The fourth categorized climb was Côte de Barbotto. This was considered the toughest climb of the stage, at 5.8 km long with a 7.6% gradient. The fifth categorized climb was Côte de San Leo, a 4.6 km climb with a 7.7% gradient. The sixth categorized climb was Côte de Montemaggio, a 4.2 km climb with a 6.6% gradient. The seventh, and final, categorized climb was Côte de San Marino, a 7.1 km climb at 4.8% gradient, categorized as a Category 3 climb.

Riding for the Dutch dsm–firmenich PostNL team, Romain Bardet and Frank van den Broek were part of an early breakaway. As the rest of the breakaway fell off, Bardet and van den Broek were able to hold on. The ending was close, as Bardet and van den Broek held a 1:45 lead over the peloton starting the final climb 26 km from the finish, which quickly shrunk, however Bardet and van den Broek crossed the line five seconds ahead of the peloton in the end in exhaused elation. 

Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike), looked to be in top form and took third.

Bardet has previously been on the TdF podium twice overall, but never won, while also collecting three stage victories and a King of the Mountains win. The Maillot Jaune after Stage 1 will certainly be a memorable moment.

Stage 2 will be another challenging, hilly course covering 199.2 km from Cesenatico to Bologna, with 1,850 meters of climbing total.